An 'unassuming' 92-year-old woman has been awarded a medal for her service during the war - 72 years after it ended.

Joyce Fazal, from Formby , served in World War II as an aircraft electrician in the Women's Auxillary Air Force (WAAF).

She joined the force against her mothers wishes, and enlisted as soon as she turned 18.

The 92-year-old's inspiration to enlist was partly due to her experiences of a German bombing campaign, which saw the roof of her family home being blown off during a raid.

Her family home was so badly damaged during the incident that they were left without a roof, and she recalls being able to look up at the sky from her brother Vic’s bedroom.

Joyce, who has three children, eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter, said: “There was a railway bank at the bottom of the garden and that started from the dockland and carried a lot of ammunition. That was set on fire at one time and there were bombs all around us.

(Image: LIVERPOOL ECHO)

“When we were coming out of the shelter we were told to go back in because the all clear wasn’t for us. These bombs were going off on the railway bank at the bottom of the garden.”

Despite serving in the WAAF for four years, Joyce is adamant she didn’t do “anything special” to deserve the medal honouring her brave service 72 years after the war ended.

Speaking to the ECHO at her son Mike’s home, she said: “I don’t think I did [anything special] because everybody was in the same state at that time. People my age then were doing the same things as I was. We just lived our lives.

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Last week, Joyce was awarded a World War II Medal by the Ministry of Defence - 72 years after the war ended, just days before Remembrance Sunday honoured those who gave their lives fighting for our country.

Joyce’s family are incredibly proud of the recognition she has received for her contribution to the war effort.

Her son Mike said: “My mum’s determination to serve her country is admirable, not least because it typifies the spirit of millions of ordinary British people during the war.

“With typical modesty of her generation, my mum doesn’t think she did anything to deserve a medal. However, I agree with the Ministry of Defence, and am immensely proud of this remarkable, unassuming little lady, who stepped forward to do what she could in our hour of need.”

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He added: “Too right I’m proud of her, for this, and also her values, of basic decency and putting others first throughout her life.”

During her time in the WAAF, Joyce had a number of postings, servicing the electrics of active aircraft.

After a month’s square bashing in Sandbach, she trained as an aircraft electrician in Melksham, Wilts for six months before being posted to RAF Manby in Lincs.